Firstly, the English teachers come from all parts of the world and are mostly native speakers who have had to learn Chinese to survive. China’s teaching industry is a sector that has grown over time with more than 1000 language centers opening each year according to official reports. The internet can be full of articles claiming these teachers (LBH) are not up par in terms of their English teaching qualifications, but what if the reality isn’t like this?
Secondly, there exists an assumption that any foreigner can teach English in China because it’s assumed they must have had some form of teaching experience to be hired by Chinese companies - this is however a false notion since most LBH teachers are actually fresh from their own countries and don’t hold the required qualifications to even open up their own practice.
Thirdly, as China has become more sophisticated in its methods for selecting foreign English teachers to work with it’s clear that there are new regulations requiring all foreigners who come into china must have a Masters or higher degree - this doesn’t stop the LBH from being perceived poorly by Chinese society at large.
Fourthly, There exists an old fashioned perception about english teacher qualifications in China where chinese citizens feel english teachers should be more than just their looks; they need to hold a masters level qualification and have a good understanding of what makes them different - this has lead many English teaching and training colleges (such as the ones found in Hangzhou) to up their game by requiring all new hires for Chinese companies to have these qualifications.
Fifthly, It’s been said that there are 1000s of language centers opening each year which may seem true but is actually not since it would be impossible for any country or company to sustain such a high level of demand - the reality however being most English teachers in china don’t even have a teaching qualification let alone having their own practice opened and all that has been said so far about them does make you wonder why they are called LBHs.
Sixthly, many articles discussing expat life say there is truth to foreigners working for Chinese companies but it’s mostly because of lack of understanding between Chinese culture and English teacher requirements - this also exists when china tries to get a feel for what foreign workers should be doing in their own country so as not to create an environment where the english teachers can thrive.
Seventhly, China is still evolving its methods of hiring english teachers with new rules that come into effect meaning all foreigners must have higher level degrees than a bachelors - this does however stop people calling LBHs by their derogatory name since it appears to be an unfair label which doesn’t seem correct.
Eighthly, Hangzhou’s “Hangzburg Jobs” in English teacher companies are looking for applicants with Masters or doctorates so the industry is getting more specific about its english teaching staff - this makes a search like Hangzuah Jobs on ‘google’ extremely hard and will only come up with language centers that meet China’s new visa requirements.
It seems that many internet articles exist under false pretenses when talking about English teachers working in china, perhaps at one point these were right but now they are not since the industry has gotten more specific - which leads to a search like Hangzhuah Jobs being unable to find any english teaching vacancies on ‘google’ and instead brings up Hangzhuah Jobs for masters
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